Local minor injured in early morning train crash

A 16-year-old was life flighted to McLane Children’s Hospital in Temple this morning after colliding with a moving train, according to Falls County Sheriff Ricky Scaman. 

It happened around 7 a.m. at the intersection of 9souhtbound) State Highway 6 and County Road 116 about five miles north of Marlin. 

Though the cause of the crash is not yet known to investigators, it seems to be a classic case of “train vs. car,” where passengers are 40 times more likely to be fatally injured than when colliding with another car. 

According to Ryan Howard, DPS spokesman, the train crashed into the boy’s Chevy Tahoe as he was attempting to cross the tracks.

The Texas Department of Public Safety advises to remember these tips when driving near railroad crossings: 

• Reduce speed when approaching crossings and look both ways.

• Turn down your stereo and listen for a train.

• If red lights are flashing or if crossing arms have been lowered, stop.

• Never stop on the tracks. A train going 50 miles per hour needs a mile and a half to stop.

• Be sure all tracks are clear before crossing - there may be more than one set

This intersection is one of many on Highway 6 that lacks an electronic monitoring system. Aiding the problem, County Road 116 curves just before crossing the intersection, meaning that visibility is that much worse, especially in the early hours of the day.

“It doesn’t have any lights or bells,” said Scaman. “If there would’ve been, this might have been a very different situation.”

The minor, a Riesel High School student, was on his way to football practice for the Indians.

The incident is being further investigated by Union Pacific and DPS.